Douglas County staff and providers outline supportive-housing roles, training and remaining gaps

Good afternoon, and welcome to the October 1 Board of Douglas County Commissioner study session. Like all of our study sessions, these are for informational purposes only. We don't take any action, after these study sessions.

County staff and partner agencies spent the meeting describing how supportive housing services and property management functions are distinct, how they coordinate around a single housing-stabilization plan for each client, and what gaps remain in services and funding. Presenters called attention to a revised budget request title for a proposed position described as a “supportive housing rental management specialist,” and to shortages of beds and wraparound care for women and clients with high clinical needs.

Jill Jolliker (staff member) opened the session by framing it as a follow-up to budget deliberations and a broader effort to implement the county’s A Place for Everyone supportive-housing goals. She said the county used a 2022 needs assessment by the KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research when developing its approach and reiterated that the session was informational.

Kristen Egan, the housing and human services program manager for Douglas County, summarized the county’s priorities and the need for coordination. “Housing folks that…